Re: 6-19-10
Nelly's INTERLEAGUE TOTAL OF THE YEAR - June 19 (Und MIN/PHI)
Nelly's 3* Pick 'UNDER 9.5' #959/960 Minnesota Twins (Slowey) at Philadelphia Phillies (Hamels) 3:10 PM CT
Citizens Bank Park has generally been a high-scoring stadium in past seasons but this year batters own a .247 batting average and just 8.5 runs per game have been scored on average. Philadelphia still has the reputation and valuation of a high-scoring offense but the Phillies simply have not been scoring runs. Philadelphia owns a .256 batting average for the season and in the last ten games that average slips to .236. Over the last 27 games Philadelphia is averaging just 2.8 runs scored per game and while the Phillies have slipped in the NL East standings they have remained in contention because the pitching staff has performed well.
Cole Hamels struggled early in the season but he has allowed three or fewer runs in each of his last eight starts. Hamels owns a nearly 3:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and his home ERA is just 2.81 for the season. The 'under' is 5-1 in his six home starts this season and while he does allow home runs on occasion he has pitched better than his overall numbers indicate. The 'under' is actually 7-1 in his last eight starts and the Philadelphia bullpen has done a great job with a 3.64 ERA for the season.
Minnesota's bullpen was also a question mark entering the season but the Twins have received outstanding results in the late innings with a 2.94 bullpen ERA for the season. That average falls to 2.10 over the last ten games and the Twins should expect a strong start from Kevin Slowey this afternoon. The Braves hit Slowey hard in his last start but he has allowed just two runs in nearly 21 innings in his prior three outings. Slowey is one of the best control pitchers in the American League as he has allowed just 16 walks this season and he has nearly identical overall numbers whether pitching at home or on the road.
Minnesota has a strong overall team average at .270 but there is a big drop-off on the road where the Twins are right near .500. Minnesota is hitting only .252 in road games this season and the lineup is much better suited to face right-handed pitching, particularly with the recent injuries making the lineup even more lefty-heavy. In the last ten games the Twins are batting just .240 against southpaws and most Twins hitters have never faced Hamels as these teams have not met since 2004. These teams have been two of the strongest 'under' teams in baseball this season as the 'under' is 34-27-5 in Twins games and 36-27-1 in Phillies games.
Friday's game went well 'over' but the Phillies were fortunate to cash in several big hits, scoring nine runs on just eleven hits. All of Minnesota's scoring came after the game was out of hand and the bullpen was looking to simply finish out the game rather than make strikeout pitches. There were very few runners left on base in last night's game and the Twins are also hit into more double plays than any other team in baseball. Look for another low-scoring game in a match-up of two excellent pitchers who rarely allow free passes and two strong bullpens.
Nelly's INTERLEAGUE TOTAL OF THE YEAR - June 19 (Und MIN/PHI)
Nelly's 3* Pick 'UNDER 9.5' #959/960 Minnesota Twins (Slowey) at Philadelphia Phillies (Hamels) 3:10 PM CT
Citizens Bank Park has generally been a high-scoring stadium in past seasons but this year batters own a .247 batting average and just 8.5 runs per game have been scored on average. Philadelphia still has the reputation and valuation of a high-scoring offense but the Phillies simply have not been scoring runs. Philadelphia owns a .256 batting average for the season and in the last ten games that average slips to .236. Over the last 27 games Philadelphia is averaging just 2.8 runs scored per game and while the Phillies have slipped in the NL East standings they have remained in contention because the pitching staff has performed well.
Cole Hamels struggled early in the season but he has allowed three or fewer runs in each of his last eight starts. Hamels owns a nearly 3:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and his home ERA is just 2.81 for the season. The 'under' is 5-1 in his six home starts this season and while he does allow home runs on occasion he has pitched better than his overall numbers indicate. The 'under' is actually 7-1 in his last eight starts and the Philadelphia bullpen has done a great job with a 3.64 ERA for the season.
Minnesota's bullpen was also a question mark entering the season but the Twins have received outstanding results in the late innings with a 2.94 bullpen ERA for the season. That average falls to 2.10 over the last ten games and the Twins should expect a strong start from Kevin Slowey this afternoon. The Braves hit Slowey hard in his last start but he has allowed just two runs in nearly 21 innings in his prior three outings. Slowey is one of the best control pitchers in the American League as he has allowed just 16 walks this season and he has nearly identical overall numbers whether pitching at home or on the road.
Minnesota has a strong overall team average at .270 but there is a big drop-off on the road where the Twins are right near .500. Minnesota is hitting only .252 in road games this season and the lineup is much better suited to face right-handed pitching, particularly with the recent injuries making the lineup even more lefty-heavy. In the last ten games the Twins are batting just .240 against southpaws and most Twins hitters have never faced Hamels as these teams have not met since 2004. These teams have been two of the strongest 'under' teams in baseball this season as the 'under' is 34-27-5 in Twins games and 36-27-1 in Phillies games.
Friday's game went well 'over' but the Phillies were fortunate to cash in several big hits, scoring nine runs on just eleven hits. All of Minnesota's scoring came after the game was out of hand and the bullpen was looking to simply finish out the game rather than make strikeout pitches. There were very few runners left on base in last night's game and the Twins are also hit into more double plays than any other team in baseball. Look for another low-scoring game in a match-up of two excellent pitchers who rarely allow free passes and two strong bullpens.

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